The Hanging Woman Analysis

• The story’s setting immediately drew me in. I see enormous potential for a vivid opening scene. The grandiose enclave of Millionaire’s Row set on the ocean’s edge, the shattered chandelier, the winding main staircase—together, these details establish such an overwhelming sense of intrigue.

• The crimes are inherently fascinating, gripping the reader from the very beginning.

• The author’s small, intriguing details effectively shroud the story in an air of mystery. For instance, why would Rebecca claim that Max’s final word was “Ocean?” The power of these details can again be seen in the passage: “Neighbors on what is a millionaire’s row of oceanfront mansions took photos of her from their rooftops; some even invited their friends over to gawk at the beautiful corpse. TV news helicopters hovered overhead, lending the whole scene a circus atmosphere worthy of OJ.” Moments like this are standout—the more of them, the better.

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For me, the sequence was much more powerful in the author’s Overview: first, readers are introduced to the crashing Pacific and the silent, stately mansions of Millionaire’s Row. Then, we zoom in on the limp body and shattered chandelier. From there, we move to the second death (instead of backtracking, as proposed in the Chapter Outline). For me, introducing readers first to Coronado, then to Max’s death, then to the image of the hanging woman would be the most gripping entry into the